Brushing Right After a Meal: Is It Good for Your Teeth?

We all grew up with the belief that brushing your teeth right after a meal is a good routine. But did you know that you could be doing more harm to your teeth if you are brushing right after your meal?

What Is the Reason?

According to the American Dental Association, you should wait at least for an hour after your meal to brush your teeth. When you eat, acid levels in your mouth are increased that can make your enamel and teeth weak.

The saliva in your mouth helps in washing away the food particles and brings your teeth enamel to its normal strength. But brushing your teeth right after meals counteracts with this process.

Alternatives for Brushing After a Meal

It is better to let the saliva do its job in your mouth. If you want to do something after you eat acidic foods, you can rinse your mouth with water. You can try sugarless chewing gum to create more saliva in your mouth.

Another option is to eat healthy foods that are low in carbs and sugar, after you eat something that was acidic. This helps reduce any of the acids that were in the food and drink. There are other foods that can also help brush your teeth and help get rid of plaque and debris in your mouth.

Follow a Safe Routine

If you have been brushing your teeth right after your meal, it’s the time to make the change as you now know how dangerous it can be for your oral health. You can start following a safe routine- brush your teeth twice daily, once you get up in the morning and once before you go to bed. This will help in keeping your teeth strong and healthy and your dentist happy too.